Ravens and Dolphins Clash in a High-Stakes Thursday Night Showdown
It’s Thursday Night Football, and all eyes are turning toward Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium as the Baltimore Ravens and the Miami Dolphins prepare for a crucial Week 9 matchup. Both teams have been struggling this season, but each is coming off a much-needed win that has reignited some hope. The Ravens currently stand at 2–5, while the Dolphins sit just a step ahead at 2–6 — and both are desperate to build momentum heading into the second half of the season.
Last week, the Ravens snapped their four-game losing streak by defeating the Chicago Bears, and they did it without their star quarterback, Lamar Jackson. On the other side, the Dolphins completely dismantled the Atlanta Falcons in a 34–10 victory, dominating both through the air and on the ground. But the real story heading into this prime-time game is the return of Lamar Jackson — the heartbeat of the Ravens’ offense.
Jackson, who has missed three straight games with a hamstring injury, is expected to start. And there’s something poetic about his return taking place just a few miles away from his hometown of Pompano Beach, Florida. Before his injury, Jackson had thrown for 10 touchdowns and only one interception. He’s been electric against the Dolphins in past matchups — in fact, he’s one of only two quarterbacks in NFL history to record multiple games with five or more touchdown passes and three or fewer incompletions, both of which came against Miami. The big question, though, is whether his hamstring will hold up and if he can regain that same explosive rhythm.
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For Miami, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa silenced critics last week with one of his best performances of the season. After weeks of inconsistency and speculation about his job security, Tua threw four touchdowns with pinpoint accuracy and no turnovers against Atlanta. His connection with the offense looked sharper than ever. Coach Mike McDaniel made noticeable adjustments — introducing more power running formations and leaning on a three-man backfield featuring De’Von Achane, Ollie Gordon II, and Jaylen Wright. Expect that strategy to continue against Baltimore, especially since the Ravens have occasionally struggled to defend against heavy offensive line sets.
Defensively, Baltimore seems to be finding its footing again. Over their past two games, they’ve cut opponents’ scoring in half and started forcing turnovers after a sluggish start to the season. Linebacker Roquan Smith has been a tackling machine, Kyle Hamilton’s return has elevated the secondary, and rookie Nate Wiggins came up clutch with a key interception last week. But with a thin pass rush and injuries still lingering, the Ravens will need to find creative ways to pressure Tua — who, interestingly, has thrown the most interceptions in the league this year when not under pressure.
With both teams eager to shake off early-season frustrations, this matchup feels like more than just another Thursday night game. For Lamar Jackson, it’s a personal homecoming and a chance to remind everyone why he’s one of the NFL’s most dynamic players. For Tua and the Dolphins, it’s about proving that last week’s success wasn’t just a fluke.
Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video — and while only one team will emerge with a victory, both are fighting to keep their seasons alive under the bright Miami lights.
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